MLS most valuable players 2011: Beckham leads Galaxy to MLS Cup - Keane most valuable

David Beckham finally wins his first title with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Thierry Henry scores 14 goals in his first Major League Soccer season, and Robbie Keane is the most valuable player in the league with a market value of $6.05 million. It is also an expansion year, Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers completing the trio of Cascadia Cup clubs in MLS, the Seattle Sounders joined in 2009. 

The season, however, would be dominated by the LA Galaxy. Without a title since 2005, the club signed Beckham in 2007 in an ambitious move to create the most dominant club in North American soccer. In 2009 and 2010, Beckham had spent time away from the club, going on loan to Milan twice. The same was true for the club's other superstar Landon Donovan, who played for Bayern Munich for parts of the 2009 season and Everton in 2010. 

Both, however, were fully committed to the club in 2011. Furthermore, the Galaxy added Ireland international Keane. The striker joined in Aug. 2011 in a deal worth $4.13 million—a record signing for the Galaxy. The three stars would lead the Galaxy to 67 points in 34 games, amassing the second-best point total in MLS history and winning the club's fourth Supporters Shield, which is awarded to the team with the highest point total after the regular season.

Major League Soccer 2011 Season At A Glace Click Here The dominance continued in the playoffs. First, up in the Conference Semifinals were the New York Red Bulls led by Henry and Mexican superstar Rafael Márquez. The two were ranked third in the most valuable player ranking together with Galaxy's Donovan ($3.3 million). Up next were Real Salt Lake City, and then in the final Beckham and Co. beat Houston Dynamo to lift the cup. The Galaxy's dominance could also be felt in terms of market values. Keane was ranked first ahead of Beckham (market value $3.85m) and third-placed Donovan. 

Also noticeable, four players in the top ten played for Canadian clubs. Vancouver Whitecaps' Jay DeMerit ($2.2 million) was ranked fifth. The Whitecaps would finish last in the overall standings with 28 points. DeMerit was ranked just behind fourth-placed Toronto FC midfielder Torsten Frings ($2.75 million).

Frings and Dutch striker Danny Koevermans, who was ranked seventh with a market value of $1.93 million, joined the club in Jul. 2011. Together with Julian De Guzmán ($1.93 million), they all ranked within the top 10. The club would win the Canadian Championship and qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League but failed to reach the MLS Cup playoffs. 

Major League Soccer 2011 - Most Valuable XI